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Car owners often have to struggle to find a reliable car mechanic. Despite all efforts, it is difficult to find a seasoned auto mechanics near me who can identify the slightest problem by listening to the rumbling engine. What are the hurdles faced in the process of finding an auto mechanic? We have outlined some of the most popular reasons here.

No Prior Interaction

Your car is a prized possession and you would certainly not want anyone to fiddle with it, especially if they are an unknown entity. Most car owners don’t take their faulty vehicles to the auto shops because they don’t have prior experience dealing with repair center professionals. This is a valid problem as you don’t know whether the mechanic is a genuine problem solver or just another fellow trying to rip you off. Moreover, the auto shop may only work on specific car brands, and if you don’t own one of those, it completely rules out the possibility of consideration.

No Recommendations

Nowadays, you can perform an online search for everything, but still, personal recommendations are always preferable. And when it comes to look for auto repair shops near you, suggestions are simply indispensable, you can consult your friends, relatives, and colleagues for reliable suggestions. Let’s say your car requires a mechanical tune-up. You can ask people around you to recommend an expert specializing in this particular niche. Also, you can rely on online reviews, search lists, and forums to locate an auto shop.

No Expertise and Certifications

Car engines have evolved drastically over the years and since there are so many complexities and variations, you should scout for experts who have prior working experience, and accreditations. But, it is possible that there are no auto experts in your area. For example, if you are looking for an auto mechanic in North York, you might end up locating none with the required level of expertise.

Usually, accredited auto shops are the most reliable as they are constantly reviewed. York auto service providers are licensed as Motor Vehicle Inspection Station by the Ministry of Transportation. Check out for certifications like these before driving your car to the repair workshop.

Upselling is a Problem

This is the most prominent reason amongst all. Most of the mechanics try to rip you off your hard-earned money. If you don’t have the basic knowledge of how your car functions, you may end up paying hefty repair bills. Once you are in the auto shop, and the mechanic tries to bluff you by promoting unnecessary services, leave the workshop without any hesitation.

Some car workshops promote specific brands as they get lucrative commissions. Not only this, they don’t hesitate in replacing a branded part with a low-quality part just to gain higher profits. It is advised to do your research before giving your nod for the repair or replacement. You can also simply opt for a mechanic who gives genuine suggestions.

The Bottom Line

Google search for ‘auto mechanics near me‘ and review all the options before driving your vehicle to a workshop. An auto shop that doesn’t fall into one of the aforementioned categories should be your priority. Opt for a service provider that has transparent policies, an organized workshop, and a regular inflow of customers. You can avoid visiting an unreliable auto shop by simply following these guidelines.

Transmission is one of the most essential functions that a vehicle performs. It ensures that whenever you alter the speed of your car, its wheels move forth with just the right amount of power. In the current times, transmission systems are getting increasingly complex. They working in consonance with hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical systems. This is why their maintenance and repair requires special attention. Though there are numerous facilities available for transmission repair in Toronto, you need to find a way to make the preliminary checks yourself.

Transmission faults generally arise due to overheating. This can either be attributed to racing, heavy pulling, frequent stoppages or simply due to the vagaries of weather. However, it is important to understand that transmission systems and their functioning drastically varies for cars which run automatically and manually.

In the cars with manual transmission, you need to temporarily disconnect the engine and transmission while shifting gears. This happens by pushing the clutch. Alternately, in an automatic transmission, the presence of a torque converter senses gear changes and allows the shift to be seamless. This ensures that the engine and the transmission stay permanently connected.

Before you conduct a comprehensive vehicular inspection on your own, you need to find out whether your transmission system is fitted with a drain plug, a pan or both. A drain plug would help you identify how the transmission fluid is being actually used. Is it being appropriately drained? Is there any leakage that you might be unaware of? Are there any accumulated deposits? If there are, are they being properly checked? Nevertheless, how do you know if your car carries a transmission drain plug or not?

As any workshop specializing in transmission repair in North York or Toronto would tell you, there are a number of ways through which the presence or absence of a drain plug can be known. These 4 steps are:

The simplest way to know if your car has a transmission drain plug is to lift it up with a jack and see for yourself. The drain plug is usually located around the pan which houses the transmission fluid. In the absence of a drain plug, you will need to go to shops specializing in transmission repair in Toronto to open up the bolts of the pan and clean it.

If you don’t know where to look, you can simply pick up the car maintenance manual and find out what kind of transmission it has. The manual will have a full diagram of the transmission model along with a detailed sketch of the pan. If your car has a drain plug, it would be mentioned here.

Another way to figure this out is by experiencing the consequences of a drain plug’s absence. Once you have exceeded your vehicle’s mileage, the transmission fuel will begin to show signs of leaking. The pan, owing to its limited capacity, would be unable to store it for long. To assist you, the workshops specializing in transmission repair in North York, Brampton or Mississauga would have to drill a hole in the pan and empty its contents so that your vehicle can function smoothly.

Last but not the least you can directly search the internet for ‘transmission repair shops near me‘ and seek a professional opinion. An auto mechanic would be able to identify if your car has a transmission drain plug. They would also be able to tell you at what intervals you should get your car serviced so that the absence of a drain plug does not cause harm to the transmission oil.

Seek Proper Transmission
If you are looking for good transmission shops near you, FineTunedAutos is the place to go to. With their computerized diagnostics, safety inspections and a complete line of automotive services, they ensure that all your transmission problems are resolved, with or without a drain plug.

The importance of proper transmission can be gauged from the simple fact that it doesn’t just facilitate the movement of your car but it also results in fuel economy and a longer vehicle life. Thereby, it is vital that you know which parts make up your car’s transmission system and how can you ensure that they remain unscathed.

It’s that time of the year again. With summer temperatures reaching records high, your only solace is the cold breeze emanating from your car’s AC vents. But, it so often happens that when you least expect it, your AC vent begins to blow hot air. As frustrating as this can be, there are preventive measures that can be taken to ensure that you are never in this sort of predicament.

Like any other component of your car, your AC tends to malfunction over time. There are over 20 components that make up your car’s AC unit. To function properly, all the components need to operate in airtight conditions. Regular (once a year at least) checks of your AC unit will help you avoid any issues from creeping up.

This article will discuss the common reasons behind the failure of a vehicle’s AC system and the measures you can take to avoid breakdowns. Read on to know more.

#1 Refrigerant Gas Leak
Gas leak is possibly the number one cause of AC failure. It can occur through hoses, old seals and gaskets or leaky condensers.

Reach out to a car AC repair near you, and get your car AC system checked for free. If any leaks detected, the AC technician will check your car more thoroughly. The technician will do this by injecting a fluorescent dye into the AC system. The fluorescent dye will indicate specific areas where a leak is present.

#2 Faulty AC Compressors
The compressor is an indispensable part of your car’s AC system. As a result, this also makes it relatively expensive to repair or replace. There are many ways by which you can diagnose a faulty compressor. The clutch (located at the front of the compressor attached to a pulley (black belt)) should operate without constantly ‘clicking’ off. If the clutch spins and then immediately switches off repeatedly, it indicates that the pressure cut-off switch is preventing the compressor from operating and your compressor is faulty.

Note: Because the compressor being a fairly complex component, it is best to replace it rather than trying to repair it. Repairing air condensers have generally proven to be an exercise in futility over time and are a burden on the car owner.

#3 Low Refrigerant Gas
Over time, the refrigerant gas or Freon in your car AC system tends to evaporate. Low gas level don’t always point to a leak; it could just be low system PSI pressure arising from insufficient gas. The gas level can be checked by reading the high and low-pressure values. The low-pressure value should be near 30 PSI at 90 degrees Fahrenheit or less, while the high-pressure value should be about twice the ambient temperature, plus 50 PSI.

If your car’s AC gas level is below the high and low PSI limits, you should go to a auto air conditioning repair near you where they will refill the refrigerant gas. Remember to ask your AC technician to replace the sealant kit before recharging the refrigerant gas.

#4 Dirty Evaporator Core
An AC evaporator core is a part of the AC unit where the refrigerant absorbs heat from the cabin, and with the help of the condenser coil releases that heat outside. Dirt in the form of mould or mildew accumulates in the evaporator core from the moisture that is present during the cooling process. As a result, the cool air has trouble reaching the car’s air vents. A car AC repair in Toronto can help you maintain your evaporator core by checking and cleaning as needed.

Annual preventive maintenance is a key factor to keep your car’s AC running in top condition. This should be done at least once a year, ideally before the summer season. During the maintenance check, ask your local car AC repair near me to include the checks mentioned earlier in the service schedule. Finally, ensure you get a professional HVAC technician to look after your cooling problems. This will ensure hassle-free cooling in the future.

Don’t you just love it when your car runs smoothly without any nasty rattles or clangs coming from the engine? You may think that this is because your car is well insulated inside the cabin, which may be partly true, but did you know that your car’s muffler is what keeps the loud engine sounds at bay. It is a key component of your car which often goes unnoticed. This is in part due to the location of the muffler, which is under the car, attached to the exhaust system.

Like other components, the muffler too ages with time and in due course will need to be swapped for a new one. When it’s time to change, there are telltale signs that you need to watch out for. Google online for ‘muffler repair shops near me’ which are open on Sunday too, and making the swap at the right time will ensure that your car runs quietly and that you do not contribute excessively to polluting the air with your exhaust fumes.

So Watch out for These:

Rattle Noises Especially During Start/Stop
This is the first and the most obvious sign that your muffler needs to be changed. With time, mufflers tend to wear out, especially around the linkages where the muffler meets the tailpipe and then begins to rust. This wearing away of the metals can be heard as rattles during start ups or when the car is moving slowly.

After a certain point in time, the engine exhaust note (sound) will change and will no longer sound smooth. This indicates that there is a crack in the exhaust and you’re leaking fumes. This is around the time when you should get the muffler changed from a reputable muffler repair in Toronto.

Unusual Smell from Your Car
You are driving down the freeway and you smell something oily or sooty. This could be a sign that you need to visit a muffler shop nearby. This smell is that of exhaust smoke leaking out from your car’s muffler. If left unchecked, this could be harmful to the environment and also to your vehicle. Worst of all, this smoke can be extremely harmful to you.

Lower Gas Mileage
If you have noticed a sudden increase in your vehicle’s gas consumption, this could be due to the bad muffler. One of the ways to figure this out is if you run out of gas a lot quicker than you used to. Ensure that before you decide that your muffler is faulty, you’ve done a thorough check of the other components like the tires, ignition system, fuel quality among others. Once you are convinced that all these components aren’t causing the problem, take your car to a muffler shop near you and have it checked by a certified professional mechanic.

Takeaway
Your broken muffler can do more harm than good. When it’s time to change your muffler, remember to look out for these three telltale signs. Visit a muffler shop in North York that employs certified professional mechanics, and most of all, always look for quality replacement parts that will last through the lifetime of your car.

In today’s day and age, it’s absolutely impossible to imagine our lives without automobiles. Just like cell phones and the internet, our fossil-fuelled machines have become an integral part of our lives. Whether they’re used for personal or commercial purposes, it’s difficult to imagine how our lifestyles could ever be sustained without these machines.

An important part of owning a vehicle is its maintenance. Even the most sturdy and well-built vehicles will fail if not maintained properly. While you can always take the car to the dealer, it’s not the most feasible option. Generally, it is more convenient to have a local garage that you can go to for all your vehicle-related needs, irrespective of whether you need a simple oil change or want to get something repaired. But how do you select a suitable garage when seeking automotive repair and services?

Given the busy urban lifestyle, it’s not always possible for vehicle owners to give sufficient time when required to find an auto mechanics near me which fulfils their requirements. To make the process easier, below are a few things to remember for the next time you need auto repairs in Toronto.

1. Do Your Research

Finding an automotive repair and service provider that is suitable requires more effort than simply searching for ‘car repair near me’ on the internet. Thorough research is vital when finding your ideal garage. Read up as much as possible about the service providers, the types of services they promise and their pricing relative to the market standard. It also helps to ask your peers which mechanics they have gone to and what their experience was like. It’s ideal that you find out as much information about the garage before actually visiting it.

2. Gauge Their Professional Expertise

It is important to verify that the people who you are trusting with your vehicle actually know what they are doing. This is where talking to existing customers and obtaining references helps as well. Visit the establishment, talk to the people, gauge their competence and verify their credentials. An automobile is a complicated machine. You do not want to give your vehicle to someone who does not know what they are doing. In most cases, incompetence could lead to added expenditure for the vehicle owner.

3. Verify Their Transparency

This is in accordance with the previous point. You need to be able to trust the person who is working on your vehicle. When dealing with a new automotive repair and service provider, it is a good idea to verify the pricing to ensure that you are not being overcharged or fleeced. Further, verify that they are using original parts and components as well as high-quality fluids, such as oil, coolant, transmission fluid, etc., when working on your vehicle. Using sub-par parts or tools could result in damaging the internals of your vehicle, leading to the reduction of its lifespan.

4. Assess Their Equipment

Make sure to check out the various equipment and gear the garage uses. There are various nuances involved when servicing a car and numerous executions for the same function. The use of modern technology and apparatus will guarantee greater accuracy and a better quality of servicing overall. Additionally, verify that the employees of the establishment are qualified and have the appropriate knowledge to use said equipment.

5. Build a Rapport

Looking for a suitable local automotive repair and service provider is not something you want to do often. It’s better and easier to have an allocated mechanic who knows the history of your vehicle and can therefore work on it accordingly. Thus, when choosing a mechanic, ensure that you are comfortable with them working on your vehicle and are receiving the service you desire, as it will be a long-term engagement. Having a good rapport with your mechanic will also ensure that you get good, reliable service and fair pricing for the years to come.

Keeping the above steps in mind will guarantee that you find the ideal mechanic for all your requirements pertaining to auto repair in Toronto. Remember, proper maintenance of your vehicle can greatly extend the lifespan of your vehicle.

Changing the engine oil of a car is one of the very few maintenance aspects. Yet, most vehicle owners do not have the appropriate knowledge regarding engine oil and the role that it plays in the overall functioning of a car.

They mostly follow what they are told by either the representative at the dealership or their mechanic.

However, is this right?

Living in the hustle and bustle of a city like Toronto, should a vehicle owner spend time thinking about these things?

Well, the short answer is, ‘Yes.’ At least, if you care about the lifespan of your engine.

First, it provides lubrication for all the moving parts inside your engine.

Second, it cleans the sediments and contaminants from your engine, protecting it from damage.

Third, it maintains the temperature of the engine, preventing it from overheating.

2. Why do You Need to Change Engine Oil Regularly?

As time passes and the vehicle is increasingly utilized, the engine oil becomes contaminated with microscopic debris from the engine parts as well as external contaminants like dust and even small insects. If the quantity of these contaminants exceeds a certain limit, they begin to damage the internals of the engine.

Further, the viscosity of the engine reduces with use. If not replaced in time, the oil may become too thin to lubricate the engine, leading to catastrophic outcomes and huge expenditures.

3. When to Change Engine Oil?

It is fairly simple to check if your engine oil requires changing.

Every vehicle comes with a dipstick. You have to simply pull out the dipstick and look at the physical characteristics of the oil to gauge whether it requires changing.

Start with the colour.

New oil is clear and becomes increasingly darker with use until it is completely black. It’s time for an oil change if the oil is black.

If the colour of the oil is somewhere in between the two opposing spectrums, you can simply check it by rubbing a drop of it between your fingers. If you can feel any grit, i.e. any sort of friction, or if the oil is thin, it is time to change it.

4. How to Choose the Right Engine Oil?

Before you search for ‘oil change near me’ or head to the closest garage that provides car oil change services, find out which engine oil your vehicle uses. This can be easily found in the vehicle’s manual. It is essential that you use engine oil that is approved by your manufacturer. Using incompatible engine oil can be just as bad for your vehicle as not changing the oil regularly.

It’s also a good idea to research the types of compatible engine oils available for your vehicle and choose one depending on the type of vehicle, its usage and also the climate it will be used in.

5. Do You Need the Professional Help?

While you can change your car’s engine oil yourself, it’s wiser to go with the professionals. However, it can be of great help if you already know when to get it changed.

The recommended intervals between oil changes specified in the vehicle’s manual can be used as a reliable reference, it is always better to periodically perform manual checks on the status of your engine oil to determine the appropriate time to get it changed.

While it may seem like one of the more basic and simple straightforward aspects of maintenance, regularly changing the engine oil of your car is crucial. It affects not only the lifespan of the engine but also the performance and mileage of the vehicle. Don’t wait for that ‘Change Oil’ light to come on, as by then, it may be too late. Vigilance in this matter will go a long way (along with your car).